The 2017 U.S. Army Aeromedical Research Laboratory, Fort Rucker, Alabama, Gains in the Education of Mathematics and Science (GEMS) program Student application is now open.

The USAARL GEMS program engages rising 4th through 11th grade students in hands on, inquiry based experiments and nurtures students’ interest in STEM career fields. USAARL’s GEMS program aims to reach students who are from southeast Alabama and who are historically underserved or underrepresented in STEM.

The USAARL GEMS Student application packet has three parts:

1. An online application;

2. One GEMS Student Essay Form, including grade-level appropriate essay responses to two questions; and

3. One GEMS Student Recommendation Form completed by a teacher/professor, a school administrator, a school counselor, a career counselor, an athletic coach, a troop leader, a previous employer, a professional mentor, etc.

Note: The online application, the GEMS Student Essay Form, and the GEMS Student Recommendation Form are required for all GEMS Student applicants. An application packet is not considered complete until all three components of the application are received.

The GEMS Student Essay Form can be faxed to 334-255-6983, e-mailed to usarmy.rucker.medcom-usaarl.mbx.stem@mail.mil, or hand delivered to USAARL, Building 6901 Farrel Road, Fort Rucker, AL.

The GEMS Student Recommendation Form should be submitted directly by the recommender via fax to 334-255-6983, e-mail to usarmy.rucker.medcom-usaarl.mbx.stem@mail.mil, or hand delivery to USAARL, Building 6901 Farrel Road, Fort Rucker, AL.

The online application, the GEMS Student Essay Form, and the GEMS Student Recommendation Form must be received by the application deadline, March 14, 2017. Only complete application packets received before or on March 14, 2017 are reviewed for program selection. Each applicant is given equal consideration for selection based on the individual merits of the applicant.

Application packets received after March 14, 2017 will be added to the waitlist and reviewed for program selection based on the availability of openings. Application packets will not be accepted after April 30, 2017.

Note the new USAARL STEM e-mail address is: usarmy.rucker.medcom-usaarl.mbx.stem@mail.mil. Please add the USAARL STEM e-mail address to your address book so that you do not miss any communications about the GEMS program. Direct any questions about the application process to the USAARL STEM e-mail address, and allow up to 5 business days for a response to an inquiry.

Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States. To obtain this information, the Daleville City Board of Education participates in E-Verify.